The 2012 CCCA Museum Experience

On Sunday, June 3 in Hickory Corners Michigan, the 2012 CCCA Museum “Grand Experience” featured a host of outstanding Foreign Cars through 1965 and an equally stunning group of CCCA Full Classics® presented for the CCCA Museum’s annual judged Concours event. The outstanding automobiles were on display for the public while the Judging took place. The diversity of the body styles and cars was magical.

Article continues below photo gallery.

“It was a great weekend,” said CCCA Museum president Howard Freedman. “The weather
on Saturday and Sunday was ideal for our 26th annual Experience. The automobile
rides proved to be a special treat for spectators attending the Saturday Grand Classic,
they definitely enjoyed riding in the Museum’s Classics on the grounds of the Gilmore
Car Museum campus.”

The weekend events commenced on Friday with a driving tour through the beautiful
Michigan countryside to the Abbott Magic Company, followed by the traditional “Get
Acquainted” Bar-B-Que on the grounds of the Gilmore Car Museum.

For qualified Foreign Cars and Classic Cars attending the weekend, Saturday began
with a Grand Classic on the lawn in front of the CCCA Museum. In addition to the
Grand Classic, events ran throughout the day including an Art Show that featured
a number of the foremost automotive artists in America. The importance of the Art
Show was emphasized by an outstanding presentation on Automotive Art delivered by
Tom Hale.

A gala Saturday evening dinner and presentation concluded the day’s activities.
Bill Parfet served as celebrity auctioneer for the auction that kicked off the evening
events. Bill’s antics and fun delivery of auction items is now one of the most enjoyable
annual traditions of the Experience. Museum President, Howard Freedman welcomed
those in attendance and shared the future plans for the Museum before introducing
the 2012 Honorary Chairman, Sunny Turnquist. Sunny shared her personal observations
on the importance of the CCCA Museum and wonderful anecdotes on her participation
in the Club over the past 60 years. The new Carolina Region of the Club was presented
its Charter by David Schultz, CCCA President. The gala concluded with presentation
of the new CCCA vintage styled awards given to 23 winners of the Grand Classic.

On Sunday the “Grand Experience” took place with a truly outstanding group of automobiles
making up a field of great Foreign-built cars and splendid Classic Cars. A number
of significant foreign cars, including many stunning examples of Bentley, Hispano-Suiza,
Mercedes, Railton and Rolls-Royce cars, were present. The drive-by and awards presentation,
narrated by Bob Joynt and David Schultz, was both enjoyable to watch and informative.

The earliest car present for the weekend was an outstanding 1922 Isotta-Fraschini,
owned by Roy Margenau. Awards presented on Sunday included the CCCA Museum Trustees
Award; the Honorary Chairman’s Award; the Art Award for most beautiful car; the
Hyman Award; the Governor’s Award, Sponsored by Gooding & Company Auctions;
the Award for Most Elegant; the People’s; the Don Gilmore; The Hobbyist Award; and
Best of Show. The full listing of award winners will be reported by Ron Verschoor
in the Club’s publications.

The 2012 Experience event sponsors included Hyman Ltd., World Wide Auctions and
Hagerty Insurance, along with the generous support of chief sponsor, Gooding &
Company. It was through the great support and hospitality of the entire staff at
the Gilmore Car Museum that made this annual event successful once again this year.

To cap off a weekend of great camaraderie and in recognition of our 25 year affiliation,
the Gilmore Car Museum hosted a wonderful afterglow party in their new Heritage
Center at the conclusion of the Experience awards presentation.

The 2013 Experience theme is "Chrysler through the 1965 letter cars" plus
all Full Classics®, of course and it will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2013. We
hope to see you there.